2017 Sprint Accelerator Program

Applications are open for our 2017 Accelerator Program

Sprint, Virgin Mobile USA, Pinsight Media+ and Dairy Farmers of America to be a part of our fourth program to help startups build and strengthen their businesses

For our fourth program, which will begin April 3, we have announced new corporate sponsors for our accelerator program. More sponsors will be announced but we are excited about our first group: Sprint, Pinsight Media+ and Dairy Farmers of America.

Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure announced at our 2016 Sprint Mobile Accelerator Demo Day last spring, that we will be joining with other businesses for the next evolution of our program to offer increased collaboration among established companies and startups. Allowing our corporate sponsors to select startups that align with their strategic goals gives them increased access to innovative products and services. And, each startup selected for the program, will receive unprecedented resources from these sponsors.

The 90-day program will feature mentors from the lead sponsor organizations and from the investor, business development and entrepreneurial communities, as well as business building informational sessions.

So, what kind of startups will our sponsors be looking for?

Sprint – Sprint is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most.

Both Sprint and Pinsight Media+ are looking for startups focused on data analytics, advertising technology and omni-channel services.

Dairy Farmers of America – Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a national dairy marketing cooperative that serves and is owned by more than 14,000 members on more than 8,000 farms in 48 states. DFA is committed to providing value to its farmer-owners through marketing members’ milk, providing services and resources on the farm and investing in plants and brands such as Borden® Cheese, Plugrá® Butter, and Kemps® that connect family farms to family tables.

DFA is looking for startups in AgTech with applications related to any portion of the dairy value chain including, but not limited to, product testing, data management, herd health and management, supply chain optimization, sustainability and traceability.

“New developments in agriculture and food production are key to ensure we continue delivering nutritious dairy to consumers around the world in a safe, sustainable and efficient manner,” said Monica Massey, senior vice president and chief of staff for DFA. “This partnership with the Sprint Accelerator offers us a unique opportunity to connect with Ag Tech entrepreneurs who have ideas on how technology can bring greater value to our dairy farmer-owners — whether it’s on the dairy farm, in the transportation network, in our plants, even connecting with consumers in grocery stores, farmer’s markets or at the dinner table.”

Here are some of the highlights of the 2017 Accelerator program:

Targeted, strategic meetings with the corporate partner teams to discuss business development, pilots and potential sponsorships;

Mentors from the Corporate Sponsors and their networks, as well as from the investor, business development and entrepreneurial communities;

Business building sessions around product, brand, marketing and entrepreneurship;

“Continuing the magic which happens at the Sprint Accelerator is important for the KC community,” said Darcy Howe of the KC Rise Fund. “Seeds of innovation needed by a region and by corporations which want to grow start in hubs of collaboration and connectivity. Put another ‘W’ in the column for KC!”

We couldn’t agree more! We’re sure you have questions. Click over to our FAQ on sprintaccelerator.com or send us an email. Applications are closing soon. Apply here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @sprintaccel.